Learn to start or expand a food or beverage manufacturing business producing consumer packaged goods (CPG).

The Hamilton Business Centre have partnered to offer a free program to food and beverage entrepreneurs in Hamilton and surrounding areas. The first series begins in August 2025 and subsequent programs are offered 4 times per year beginning again in November 2025, January & April 2026.

The Foodpreneur Advantage Program is for individuals looking to start or expand a food or beverage manufacturing business producing consumer packaged goods (CPG). The program provides introductory workshops, specifically aimed at food-related businesses, to help them navigate getting started or expanding into new product lines.

Industry Facts:

• Ontario’s food and beverage processing (FBP) sector is the largest in Canada – accounting for 37% of the industry’s revenue in the country
• The Food and Beverage manufacturing sector of Ontario is the 3rd largest in North America
• The sector has more than 4,000 establishments in the province, employing over 95,000 people.
  

The first six-part webinar series include (plus bonus session):

• Aug 13, 2025 - Barcodes and Beyond: What You Need to be Market-Ready! (bonus session)
  
• Aug 21, 2025 - Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance
• Aug 28, 2025 - How to Sell your Food Product
• Sept 4, 2025 - Costing & Pricing to Make Profits
• Sept 11, 2025 - Marketing & Branding your Food Product
• Sept 18, 2025 - Food Safety Fundamentals for Start-Ups
• Sept 25, 2025 - Labelling & Packaging Your Food Product

All sessions are held virtually for 1 hour on Thursdays at 10:00 am. Anyone interested must sign up for each session individually.

The Foodpreneur Advantage Program was developed in 2021 and is delivered through a partnership of Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBEC’s) across Southwestern Ontario.